As if Thomas Bjorn wasn’t already going to remember the 2018 Ryder Cup for the rest of his life, he’ll have a different kind of permanent reminder: an honorary tattoo.
During the winner’s press conference, Ian Poulter broached the topic in complimenting the Dane.
“(Bjorn) allowed us to be very relaxed and chilled in the team room, and he understands every player on a personal level and professionally, as well,” Poulter said. “So to be able to have that level of calmness in the team room, I think this week showed through. And we had an extra bit of motivation this week, as well.
“You might all see — I don’t know when it’s going to get done, but we had some extra motivation this week to make sure we put our hands back on that trophy, as little or big as that number is going to be; it will be a very interesting number to see.”
Justin Rose filled the room in that the “extra motivation” Poulter was referencing was the promise of a winning score tattoo on the captain.
“I think they might be talking about a tat, to keep everyone in the loop,” Rose said.
“There could be a visit to a tattoo parlor coming soon for Mr. Bjørn on his head,” Rory McIlroy joked.
Thomas Bjorn apparently agreed to get a tattoo of the final score if they won. Now will get “17 1/2-10 1/2” on a body part that only his girlfriend can see.
“The worst decision I’ve made all week."
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) September 30, 2018
Eventually, the press conference veered away from the motivation and towards the play of the European team, but inevitably, it returned to the captain getting inked. Asked more about the tattoo — what it was going to be and where on his body Bjorn would be having it placed — Bjorn revealed it won’t be readily visible.
“Let me put it this way, it’s going to go on a part that only (my girlfriend)Grace (Barber) will see,” he said. “I might have to send (the team) a picture, well, then you’ll all see it as well, I guess.
“The worst decision I made all week.”
“No, it was the best,” Sergio Garcia said.
